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jgwatz
Contributor
Contributor

HP-Compaq DL380 G4 VM Host and Windows 2003 64-bit VM Guest

Has anyone been able to get a windows 2003 64-bit server guest to sucessfully run on an HP-Compaq DL380 G4 VI3 server host?

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bister
Expert
Expert

I'm not sure but are the CPU in the DL380 G4 64-bit capable!? As you know you cannot run a 64-bit OS on 32-bit CPU...

What error message do you get?

Respectfully,

Christian

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jgwatz
Contributor
Contributor

I can load Windows 2003 Server 64-bit Bare metal. But after I load VI3, then create a 2003 Server 64-bit guest, I get an error, 'attempting to load an x64 operating system, however this cpu is not compatible with x64 mode. Please install a 32-bit x86 operating system.' Gee, before installing VMware VI3, the 64-bit OS worked. Now, as a vm server guest, it doesn't want to install...

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bister
Expert
Expert

Sorry, no idea about that then...

A colleague successfully installed Windows 2003 x64 on a Dell with Intel Xeon 5160 CPUs on ESX 3.0.1. When he comes back I can ask him if he had to configure some special options.

Regards,

Christian

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ErMaC1
Expert
Expert

This is because Intel CPUs require their Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) to run 64-bit guest operating systems under ESX. The DL380 G4 used Xeon DP's which never had VT. There's an awful lot of threads about this.

If you look at the download area for VI3, there's a floppy you can download which will tell you if your system supports running 64-bit guests, but I'm almost certain no CPU sold with the DL380 G4 will qualify.

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SanRam
Hot Shot
Hot Shot

Can you enable VT in the BIOS first, and then retry the 64-bit OS install on the VM?

Message was edited by:

SanRam --> looks like I'm a little late on my response.

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filip_heens
Contributor
Contributor

I did the check, and my DL380G5 is equiped with two Intel Xeon Dual-Core 5130 2.0GHz CPU's.

Featured Technologies Virtualization Technology and Extended Memory 64 Technology. So the CPU should support it.

When I install a normal 32bit Windows and run the test it says that the system supports 64bit, but still I get this error.

What could be wrong?

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filip_heens
Contributor
Contributor

My problem is already solved.

I was always trying to change the bios via a VMWare host I created?

I had to shut down the server totally and go in the bios (F9) via my ILO2.

there go to advanced settings, processor settings and enable the VT setting (disabled by default)

Hope this helps the rest.

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Topski
Contributor
Contributor

Hi there,

Hope you re still watching this thread. I have a DL 380 G04 with Xeon Single Core with HT. I have BIOS P51 4/26/2006, however, in advanced settings in the BIOS I can only turn on or off HT. VT settings are not there. Any ideas ?

BR,

Ronald Top

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filip_heens
Contributor
Contributor

Does the CPU support VT? Have you checked the CPU type at intel to see if it is indeed supported?

Which Bios do you check? The HP Bios? Or the VM bios? (do you go into the bios before or after VM is started?

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Topski
Contributor
Contributor

HI there,

Well, to be exact I also have a DL 580 G3 with 2 Xeon MP 3.0 Ghz, 8MB cache with VT enabled (this was indeed a BIOS option). (Single Core CPUs). I completely shutdown the server, even removed the power supply units from the machine, waited a few minutes (hosting centre, didnt want to go back again not next door), then reassembled the power supplies and booteup the server, stil nothing, I cannot install a Windows XP 64 bit VM. Do you need to reinstall VMware after you make the VT switch ? Guess not, VMware is just passing all instructions directly to the processor.

This really annoys me. I have latest BIOS, but on the HP site, I see no specific BIOS for VT for DL 580. I have now BIOS 2-9-2006 P38 which seems to be the latest. If you know which processors are for sure OK for 64 bit VMs, please tell me. I will buy new ones if necessary.

BR,

Ronal Top

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Topski
Contributor
Contributor

HI there,

Well, to be exact I also have a DL 580 G3 with 2 Xeon MP 3.0 Ghz, 8MB cache with VT enabled (this was indeed a BIOS option). (Single Core CPUs). I completely shutdown the server, even removed the power supply units from the machine, waited a few minutes (hosting centre, didnt want to go back again not next door), then reassembled the power supplies and booteup the server, stil nothing, I cannot install a Windows XP 64 bit VM. Do you need to reinstall VMware after you make the VT switch ? Guess not, VMware is just passing all instructions directly to the processor.

This really annoys me. I have latest BIOS, but on the HP site, I see no specific BIOS for VT for DL 580. I have now BIOS 2-9-2006 P38 which seems to be the latest. If you know which processors are for sure OK for 64 bit VMs, please tell me. I will buy new ones if necessary.

BR,

Ronal Top

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Topski
Contributor
Contributor

Eh .. for what it's worth, I go into the HP BIOS, do you need to do stuff in the VM BIOS ??

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filip_heens
Contributor
Contributor

Nope you do have to use the HP Bios, VT is not available in the VMware Bios. But are you sure that your CPU is 64 bit? which Xeon CPU do you use? Maybe you can log a call at HP? They should be able to help to activate the VT

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admin
Immortal
Immortal

Which version of ESX are you running? What message do you get when you try to install a Windows XP 64-bit VM?

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Jae_Ellers
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

You guys are running in circles. The original poster said G4, then changed his description to G5 later.

Get DLx80/x60 G5 with a processor that supports VT. Then go into the host bios and enable it.

Some very late model G4 would be able to run 64 bit oses as they're EM64T, but don't have VT technology, so 64-bit under ESX wouldn't happen.

If you only have HT options with the latest bios you need to buy a different server.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- http://blog.mr-vm.com http://www.vmprofessional.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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Topski
Contributor
Contributor

Hi All,

Latest BIOS of my DL 380 G4 only support HT as an option and not VT. Also saw this is not a Xeon MP processor. So freed up a DL 580 G3 with single core Xeon MP 3GHz, 8MB L3 cahce (I thought this used to be codename Truland). This is for sure a 64 bit proc, if you at the specs at HP, DL 580 G3 does not even ship with a less proc then 64. OK, so I found the VT, turned it on, completely power cycled the machine (even removed the power supplies and drunk a cup of coffee). Then powered the system back up, but still cannot install a 64 bit guest OS =(

What am I missing ? Should I reinstall ESX (makes no sense since code is directly put on the proc), is there another option, should I disabled HT when VT is on ?

Any help appriciated.

BR,

Ronald Top

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admin
Immortal
Immortal

Please download this ISO , burn to a CD, and boot from the CD. It will verify that VT is enabled on each core of your host.

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filip_heens
Contributor
Contributor

Best is also to disable the HT

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Topski
Contributor
Contributor

Hi there,

I have also disabled HT now, ROMpaq flashed to the newest BIOS version of DL 580 G3 supported by VI3 (8-8-2006), power cycled (with iLO) and still no success.

Tomorrow monring I will drop by at my hosting centre to see if power cycle with full power off helps (alredy tried, but with older BIOS). I will also try mattsons iso cd.

I opened a case now at vmware and they said to run the vmware cpu compat tool (also a bootable cd). Last time it said 64bit longcode supported, 64 bit guest not supported. Sounds contradictionairy or not ?

I just enabled VT on my notebook (T7200 proc) and I could load 64 bits VMs right away with workstation. Why is this so difficult to solve, we have a machine, BIOS level, proc level and vmware level, not to many parameters I should say.

BR,

Ronald

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